Beijing's Beloved Curse Word Is a Sports Tradition

Have you been told that you don't understand Chinese culture? Likewise, have you been called a shǎbī? In Beijing, the two have more to do with each other than you might think.

Shǎbī (傻逼, "stupid c*nt") is a common curse heard both online and in the real world. It's an offensive term that degrades women by singling out a part of a woman's body.

But Beijing sport fans don't think the term is so offensive, and what's more, they think this word is just part of the local customs that make the capital such a unique place.

Some habits die hard. On the left: "Don't curse in the Beijing way, watch the game in a civilized manner"; on the right: "Respect the judge, respect the athletes"

This past Christmas Day, a live broadcast of a basketball game between Beijing and Xinjiang showed hundreds of home spectators at the Wukesong sports arena chanting their favorite curse word in unison. The profanity got so bad that CCTV sports commentator Liu Xingyu was heard chastising the Beijing crowd while on-air.

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Image: news.fjsen.com

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